The Basics, a good place to start..

Mellow

Joe
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Edit: I posted this originally on NT-Owners.org and thought I'd post here as well.

People are always asking me why I like camping so much and how I can camp on the bike, what are the tips and tricks to it?

Well, everyone is different and I can only provide the tricks that I've learned in the past few years that work for me.
Remember, these are only MY personal preferences and can be used as a starting point for you to get into camping on a motorcycle,
don't be afraid to change things that you feel will work for YOU.

My Background:
I only started riding since Dec 1999 and my camping experience on the bike only began in 2002 so roughly 10 years.

I've developed my camping techniques over these past 10 years and camped on Goldwings, ST1300s and now Dual Sports - Super Tenere/VStrom.

What is the bare minimum I need to camp?
This is the 1 million dollar question. Well here ya go:

1 - A tent
2 - A sleeping bag
3 - An air mattress
4 - Waterproof bag(s)
5 - Pillow - inflatable or compressible
6 - Flashlight and/or Headlamp - preferably LED for long life

That's it. Simple as that.

Now, I'll expand on the items listed above a bit then talk about some alternatives that some prefer.

The Tent:
Cost
If you're only planning on camping a few times a year you can probably get by with a low-cost tent in the range of $100 or less. But, if you plan​
on doing a lot of camping then it may be beneficial to splurge for some name-brand equipment which may run in the $150+ range.​
Type
Tents come in several types but we will only discuss a couple here.​
Bivy - These are typically one-person tents that have one or more poles that require being staked out with tent stakes in order to​
retain their shape/structure.​
Dome - A dome tent is typically a stand-alone tent where, once the tent poles are installed, will stand up on it's own without needing​
to be staked out. For me, THIS is the preferred type of tent for camping on a motorcycle.​
Many dome tents are configured with a front entry​
door or a side entry door. I find the side doors to be the easiest to crawl into/out of.​
Some of these tents also provide the option of 1 or 2​
vestibules - the area the rain fly covers that is not inside the tent. This allows for good additional storage space for those things you don't​
want or need inside the tent.​
Single or Double Walled?
A single-walled tent incorporates the tent and rain fly into one. While this seems like a great approach it can be the source of condensation inside​
the tent. I prefer to stay away from this for motorcycle camping.​
A double-walled tent is simply a tent which has a separate rain fly. The tent will have some mesh to allow for ventilation and the rain fly, once set up,​
will not tough the inner tent. When it rains, the fly will divert the rain away from the tent.​
Seasons
A 3-season tent is more than adequate for camping on a motorcycle. 4-Season tents are made for those thinking of camping in some​
pretty harsh environments including deep snow. If the weather or camping conditions are going to be that bad, you probably decided​
to stay home.​
Accessories
Attic - An attic is some mesh material hanging from the top section of the inside of the tent. This is useful for placing lights, glasses, phones or whatever you find you want to keep off the floor of the tent. This is a very nice thing to have. Not all tents come with these and some will be​
included at extra cost.​
Footprint - Some believe a tent footprint are used to keep water out of a tent, however they are really only used to help protect the bottom​
of a tent from punctures or abrasions which would compromise the waterproof 'bathtub' design of the tent. Some tents will include a footprint​
and some are provided at extra cost but even a simple cheap tarp will provide as much protection.​
Size
I always get a 2-person tent if there's only one person that will be camping in the tent. This provides some extra space for gear, luggage or other​
items. Two people camping = 3-person tent.​
Packed Size
I also always pay attention to the packed size specification for the tent. The long dimensions typically tell you how long the tent pole sections​
are. A tent stating a packed size of 24x7 usually means 2' tent pole sections and that makes it a bit tough to pack on a bike. A I personally try​
to find packed sizes in the 18" range as I can then pack the tent poles just about anywhere on the bike.​
A little tip here. If you look at backpacking or hiking equipment you'll find things that were designed to be smaller than the family-camping​
equipment where weight and size are of little concern.​

The Sleeping Bag
How Cold
This is a tough one. Some of this will be dictated by the air mattress you end up getting. If the mattress has little or no insulation properties​
then you may need a better sleeping bag. For me, a 20-40 degree bag is good enough for just about every temperature range you'll see on​
your typical motorcycle touring adventure.​
Type
Rectangle - These are pretty much what most people think about when they think sleeping bags. These provide the most shoulder room and area to move around.​
Mummy - These bags are great for cold weather as they allow you to tuck your head into the top section and they are tapered at the leg/feet​
section. This allows your body heat to warm up a minimal amount of area while also keeping your head covered. When sleeping in one of these​
you will have everything covered except for your nose/mouth area. Seems kinda strange at first but it works very well. You also don't want your​
mouth covered as the vapors you exhale will collect in the bag and make it damp.​
There are some bags on the market now that offer a rectangular shaped bag but a zip-off top shaped like a mummy.​
Down or Synthetic - the major advantage of a down bag is it will pack to a smaller size than a synthetic bag. The major advantage of a synthetic bag​
is it will dry out faster if it gets wet. Since packing size is my major concern I will typically go for a down sleeping bag.​

The Air Mattress
Most don't think about air mattresses much when they think about camping, the tent and sleeping bag seem to get all the initial concern but the air​
mattress can be the most important part of all the gear.​
Remember, if you don't get a good night's sleep then you won't be 100% the next day when you get on the bike on public roads.​
When you lay on an air mattress there are 2 things happening. One is your body is trying to warm the air inside the mattress and the other thing is the​
ground is trying to cool the air in the mattress. If the mattress has low or no insulating properties then your body is fighting a loosing battle with the​
ground.​
Some purchase very thick air mattresses with no insulation because they think it will be more comfortable but anything above 4 inches thick is just about​
impossible to warm with your body in cooler temps. Air mattresses in the 2 to 4 inch thick range but also with some type of internal insulation will provide​
the best night's sleep.​
The width of the air mattress is also an issue, many are 20 inches wide, seems wide enough but you want something at least 24 inches wide or you will​
be rolling off the mattress.​
With the thicker mattresses, I find it best to not inflate them 100% but more about 75%. That will mean less air to warm up but also you lay IN the​
mattress and seems to make them more comfortable.​

The Bags
I like to keep the things I use for sleeping in a waterproof bag and the tent in a separate waterproof bag. This works well for a couple reasons. First, it​
keeps your wet tent away from the stuff you want dry and inside your tent. Second, it allows you to begin packing up your campsite while you're still​
inside your tent. Wake up and pack your air mattress and sleeping bag into one waterproof bag while inside your tent and even if it's raining, you've​
accomplished to keep your dry stuff dry and you're half done with packing.​
There are many waterproof bags on the market from $40 to well into the $100 range. You pretty much just need to search for 'dry bags' and you'll​
come up with many options. Try to find a bag that meets the min packed size of your tent unless you plan on storing the tent poles elsewhere.​

What about cooking
I try to keep things simple. I have previously packed a backpacking stove and fuel so I can boil water for coffee/hot chocolate or warm up some food​
however I find it's too much of a hassle. It's something you need to decide how important it is to you. The purpose of this thread is to show you​
the bare minimum you need to camp on a motorcycle and be comfortable. There are many that will say what I bring is not the bare minimal and there​
are those that will bring a lot more gear including stoves, fuel and food.​
I feel that I'm almost always close enough to a town to eat before getting to a campground or head into town in the morning if I feel I want coffee and/or​
breakfast. So for me packing the extras needed for cooking are not that important.​

Useful Links:
Below I have some links to gear that I either have or have used and I feel meet the requirements of what I've posted above:​
Tents
Great Resources
REI

Conclusion
I hope I've provided enough information based on my 10+ years of camping to make your choices for camping a little less painful. There are many out​
there that have camped much longer than I have and in more extreme environments than I have so I am far from an expert. I can only add that the​
techniques I describe above in picking my gear has worked very well for me and sometimes I feel more comfortable in my tent than I do at home in my​
bed. The whole point is to try and take the pain out of picking gear as there are so many options it's overwhelming at times. This may not work for​
everyone but does for me.​
Please post any comments and I'll do my best to address them.​
 
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Joe
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Re: Camping - The Basics

This is great Mellow! I love learning from other people's experience. Is this a thread where we can add what works (and doesn't work) for us?
Sure, no problem at all, as I stated it was just MY experience and what has worked for ME. That might work for some but for others it won't.
 

Tankereng

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Re: Camping - The Basics

...and if you camp with Mellow and hear him rustling around in he morning... You're already behind as he is about to strap his tent to the bike...:rofl1:
 
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Joe
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Re: Camping - The Basics

...and if you camp with Mellow and hear him rustling around in he morning... You're already behind as he is about to strap his tent to the bike...:rofl1:
Yeah, but YOU take a shower EVERY day... what's up with that?
 

carpdm

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Re: Camping - The Basics

Thanks Mellow. Great thread. My family did lots of camping when I was a young child. I hope to enjoy motorcycle camping in the near future.
 
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Re: Camping - The Basics

I'll add a couple tips, gleaned from years of STealth Camping (there's a separate thread about that here somewhere.)

Tent: I carry a cheap tent and a cheap (blue Walmart) tarp, I think my current one is 12x16. I can use the tarp as a lean-to or over-the-tent cover if the weather looks crappy. The broader spread helps keep the water away and is easily replaceable if needed. Much cheaper than an expensive tent and more verstile.

Mattress: XPed 9, nothing less.

Cooking: penny stove (google it.)

I carry a minimum of food, usually dried stuff reconstituted with hot water. I can cook when necessary but reserve that for the larger gatherings. I always carry coffee fixin's and instant oatmeal, dried cranberries, and walnuts. Last season, I started carrying the oatmeal in a pannier instead of the camp bag and mixing up a bowl of oats at my first coffee/gas stop using hot coffee. No need to fire up the stove. Works 'specially well when on a long lone trip. Cheaper, faster, and healthier than the local greasy spoon.

(I ain't much, but I am cheap. :D)
 

Toaksy

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Re: Camping - The Basics

Just a little food for thought ENO hammock and a tarp for rain fly for sleeping works well and pack very small draw backs you have to find the right camping spot to set it up and some places don't let you tie anything to trees but can be a good alternative to a tent. For food I always carry some shelf stable food either canned items or dehydrated on long trips for back up and we try to buy food along the way or after we find a spot. I like to eat a good meal in the evening and we will usually stop at a mom and pop place for breakfast. I have found that the food is good and it is a great sorce for local information places to see and roads to ride. A good backpacking stove is nice but make sure you pack matches one of mine has a pezo light on it saved my bacon a time or two . I would also add I always carry a good multi tool and I use it for everything from a can opener to a pot holder. Cook sets GSI makes some nice ones but they are pricy my son has one we got him on sell I have and off brand pot and fry pan combo where I have added some squishy bowls and cups that fit inside with some sporks.

Best piece of advice talk to someone that does some motocamping and see what they are using and then don’t be afraid of trying something or modifying what they do to suit you. Above all just have fun.
 

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Re: Camping - The Basics

Great writeup Joe! Thanks for all the info.
 
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Re: Camping - The Basics

1...Joe/Mellow:...you might post link to your informative videos of campbags set-up & tent set-up done in your garage...I found them to be quite informative

2...In George's post...do you really use your first gas/coffee stop to hydrate the oatmeal packs with coffee?...I never would have thought of that...but now I'm curious what that taste might be like...as I had my cup of coffee this morning & my bowl of oatmeal with raisins & walnuts & apples...separately, of course,...but tomorrow's breakfast will be for me a bowl-ful of same oatmeal pack with hot coffee rehydration!...maybe it tastes better "on the road"..?;)
 
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Joe
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Re: Camping - The Basics

1...Joe/Mellow:...you might post link to your informative videos of campbags set-up & tent set-up done in your garage...I found them to be quite informative
This one? LOL, okay but don't count how many times I day 'uh'..

 
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Re: Camping - The Basics

1...Joe/Mellow:...you might post link to your informative videos of campbags set-up & tent set-up done in your garage...I found them to be quite informative

"This one? LOL, okay but don't count how many times I day 'uh'.."


uh...joe/mello...uh...uh...uh...ok,...then,...uh...yep...that one...also...to reply to your original post#1...I think a BIVY, does NOT require stakes NOR poles...it is just a fancy sleeping bag/sack...and I really like them...the waterproof ones with a no-see-um netting hood opening that closes up for wet weather...really great for stargazing in the "sack"...coupled with a closed-cell backpack sleeping pad on the campground picnic tables(clean ones, of course) makes a great minimalist no-tent quick pack-up next morning...one MUST be able to sleep without rolling over, though!:D:):03biker:
 
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Re: Camping - The Basics

Well done......the video that is......best advice ever.........."Don't put up a tent where the dogs go"....even if not on a pile you'll step in one on the way there or back................ff
 
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Re: Camping - The Basics

What's the name of the hammock that acts pretty much like a suspended tent?
 

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Re: Camping - The Basics

Yeah, but YOU take a shower EVERY day... what's up with that?
Just in case I have to set up my tent upwind of you...just being courteous ;) :rofl1:

Remember, if you don't get a good night's sleep then you won't be 100% the next day when you get on the bike on pubic roads.
Ummmm....
 

JimSTer

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Re: Camping - The Basics

Great write up Joe. IMHO I agree with the backpacking choices. After many years of backpacking I've been I able to adapt much of the equipment to moto camping. Saves a lot of weight. Although it's more expensive the quality more than makes up for the extra $'s spent.
 
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